Spectacle-frame



(No Model) H. J. KIRKLAND.

I SPEGTAOLE FRAME. No.- 562,729. Patented June 23 1896.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

REYNOLD J. KIRKLAND, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

SPECTACLE-FRAM E.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 562,729, dated June 23, 1896.

Application filed April 25. 1895. Serial No. 547,156. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RnYNoLD J. KIRKLAND, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Grand Rapids, in the county of Kent and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spectacle- Frames, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in spectacle -frames; and it consists in the introduction, between the bows and temple-pieces of spectacles, of a flexible joint, whereby the lens and lens-supports, together with the front end of the temple-piece, may be set in any required angle with reference to the bows, in order to adjust the lenses to any angle required, the objectof the invention being to adapt a pair of spectacles to different angles, so that the user can always, whether observing an object near by or afar, direct his vision at right angles to the lens and near the center thereof. These obj ects I accomplish by means of the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a perspective View of a pair of lenses constructed in accordance with my invention, each temple-piece being provided with a flexible joint which allows the user to set the lens at any angle he may desire. Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate plan and side views of a joint which may be used in connection with my invention. Figs. 4 and 5 represent a modifled form.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

A represents the frame for supporting the lenses.

B represents the portion of the temple-piece which is attached to the frame which supports the lenses, and C represents the bows, which secure the spectacles upon the head of the wearer.

In Figs. 2 and 3, E represents a templepiece bar, one end of which is rigid with the how 0, and the other end is provided with a set-screw F, which engages with a recess S in the temple-piece B. By means of this setscrew the temple-piece B may be set at an angle to the bow C in the manner shown in Fig. 3, D representing an elastic or flexible part of the temple-piece.

In the form illustrated by Figs. 4 and 5, G is a bar which is rigid with B, and H is a sleeve movable upon the bow C.

K is a flexible part connecting B and C, which may be bent readily, but which is not constructed of spring material, so that when bent in any position it will retain that position. This part K'may be made of twisted wire, in the form shown.

I have shown two forms of making the flexible connection in the temple-piece. It will be evident that other forms may be adopted without departing from the spirit of my invention.

By the construction above described, that is, by providing the flexible connection between the lens-fraine and temple-piece, said lenses and frame and the front end of the temple-piece need not difier from those in ordinary use, and the temple-piece can be readily applied to the ordinary form of spectacles without change or modification of the frame which supports the lenses, and in case one or both temple-pieces become broken or injured new temple-pieces can be applied.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim to have invented, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In spectacles having bows adapted to attach the same to the head, the combination with the lens-frame, of the flexible strips connecting the bows and lens-frame, and means for bending and retaining said flexible strips with relation to the bows, substantially as described.

2. In spectacles having bows adapted to attach the same to the head, the combination with the lens-frame, of the temple-pieces secured to the lens-frame, and flexible strips connecting the bows and temple-pieces, sub stantially as described.

3. In spectacles having bows adapted to attach the same to the head, the combination with the lens-frame, of the temple-pieces carried by the lens-frame, flexible strips connecting the bows and temple-pieces, and means for adjusting and retaining said flexible strips with relation to the bows, substantially as described.

' In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two wit nesses.

REYNOLD J. KIRKLAND; [n s] Witnesses:

EDWARD TAGGART, CHRISTOPHER HONDELINK. 

